| Floating light parades are a cherished holiday tradition | | | | hopping aboard the Queen Mary or visiting the |
| along the West Coast, especially in Southern | | | | Aquarium of the Pacific. |
| California. Hotel California Song ListenOther states can | | | | Best Hotel Finder Click here |
| claim their White Winter Wonderland but California, | | | | * LOS ANGELES HARBOR HOLIDAY AFLOAT |
| seemingly drenched in perpetual sunshine, has to | | | | PARADE - This parade displays the boats as they |
| create a different kind of Winter Wonder. Here, the | | | | cruise along the Port of Los Angeles main channel. |
| reflections bounce off the water instead off | | | | You can view the boats from a number of locations |
| snow-covered hillsides. However holiday cheer and | | | | like the Banning Landing Community Center or the |
| twinkling lights are familiar everywhere. So either hop | | | | Port of Los Angeles Cruise Ship Promenade on |
| aboard a decorated boat or line up along the | | | | Harbor Boulevard in San Pedro. Another popular |
| waterfront and join the merriment. | | | | viewing spot is at the Ports O' Call Village at 1100 |
| One of the most pleasant ways to enjoy the parade | | | | Nagoya Way in San Pedro as well as the Cabrillo |
| is watching the boats glide by your restaurant | | | | Marina at 200 Whaler's Walk, also in San Pedro. |
| window as you dine in warmth and comfort. Most | | | | DATES: December 6, 2008, 6-7:30 p.m. BONUS TIP: |
| waterfront restaurants take reservations months in | | | | Consider staying at the Hilton Port of Los Angeles |
| advance (add the reservation number to your road | | | | San Pedro because it's only a ΒΌ mile stroll from the |
| trip planner and print out the itinerary and keep a | | | | hotel to the Cabrillo Marina. |
| copy in the car). For those laden with blankets and | | | | * MARINA DEL REY BOAT PARADE - The nearby |
| chairs, the goal is to park as close to the waterfront | | | | Fisherman's Village is an excellent viewing spot for |
| as possible and stake out a spot early. Traffic | | | | this parade. Include fireworks and boat judging. Click |
| increases significantly as parade time approaches so | | | | here to see last year's winners. DATES: December |
| sometimes the best choice is to "park & walk", | | | | 13th. * NEWPORT BEACH CHRISTMAS BOAT |
| especially if you're going on a road trip that takes | | | | PARADE - This annual Christmas event is one to |
| you more than four hours from home and you're not | | | | definitely add to your road trip planner. Join nearly |
| familiar with the side-streets. | | | | one million other spectators as you watch beautifully |
| * DANA POINT - BOAT PARADE OF LIGHTS - Dana | | | | decorated yachts, boats, kayaks, and canoes sail |
| Point is a delightful harbor city. Clean and picturesque, | | | | along Newport Harbor. People from as far as Arizona |
| there are a number of nice, waterfront restaurants | | | | and San Francisco have been known to make the |
| to enjoy before strolling out to the harbor to watch | | | | trip to partake in this holiday custom. Viewing is free, |
| the flotilla of lights. DATES: December 5-6 and 12-13, | | | | provided you can find a vantage point. DATES: |
| 7:30 p.m. FAMILY BONUS: Enjoy a breakfast with | | | | December 17 - December 21, 2008, celebrating its |
| Santa at the Jolly Roger Restaurant on December | | | | 100th year! The parade starts off Bay Island at 6:30 |
| 13th. | | | | p.m. and finishes at the same site at approximately |
| * LONG BEACH PARADE OF 1000 LIGHTS in the | | | | 9:00 p.m. each evening. Fireworks will start at 6:25 |
| Downtown Shoreline Marina. Some of the best views | | | | p.m. from the Balboa Pier just before the start of the |
| can be found along the boardwalk at Shoreline Village. | | | | parade at 6:30 p.m. |
| Most of the parking in and around this area will be | | | | Your road trip planner and your car may be the "king |
| paid parking. DATES: December 13, 2008, 7 p.m. | | | | of the road" until you get to the waterfront, but |
| BONUS TIP: Make Long Beach the center of your | | | | once there, the "ladies" reign, so sit back and enjoy |
| road trip planning because there are lots of other | | | | the glide. |
| cool water-themed activities you can enjoy like | | | | |